A comfortable wear

Hagar Lemzoeli, 20, a lifeguard at Wahooo!, from Segaiya, said: "I really like the Burqini. I find it very comfortable to wear and easy to move around in.

"I don't feel suffocated or restricted. I can be as active as I want in the water and not worry about any indecent exposure."

Colleague and room-mate Sara Ourade, 20, also enjoys wearing the Burqini. She said: "You seriously don't feel like you are wearing something. It is very light on the skin and I feel protected from the hot Bahraini sun."

American Jessie Owens, 30, visiting Bahrain, was not so keen. She said: "I would not ever wear one but I have seen magazines feature the swimwear and other women wearing it. They seem comfortable with it but it is just not for me."

Highlighting the health aspect of the Burqini, Catherina Abouzaid, 54, a nursing supervisor, from Sanad, said: "I would consider wearing it, not because I am covered but because it will help protect me from the sun. It also looks comfortable."

And for Fatima Al Khawaja, 34, from Arad, who works at Radio Bahrain, the garment has even improved her family life.

She said: "I already wear the Birqini and I think it's a great idea. The Burqini has allowed me to spend more time with my family when we go to waterparks and become more active with my daughter. I don't sit on the sidelines and watch them have fun anymore because now I can join in too.

"Also, the fact that I wear the hijab it is very helpful to me and it is not form-fitting at all so I find it being very decent and respectful of my culture."